Magnet wiper for instrument window

ABSTRACT

A magnet wiper for an instrument window includes a group of magnets wherein two or more magnets constitute inside magnets located adjacent to the internal surface of an instrument window, and two or more other magnets constitute outside magnets located adjacent to the external surface of the instrument window. As the outside magnets are moved, the inside magnets move accordingly to manipulate a wiping medium and indirectly clean the internal surface of the instrument window.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments are related to viewing windows for electrical, mechanical,and electro-mechanical instruments. Embodiments are also related totechniques, devices, and systems for cleaning such viewing windows.

BACKGROUND

Many electrical/electronic, mechanical, and/or electromechanicalinstruments such as gas meters and other measuring systems (e.g., marinesystems, samples, etc.) include the use of a transparent viewing window(e.g., glass or other transparent material) to view measurement data. Akey problem with such viewing windows is that moisture (e.g., water,fog, etc.) or, for example, dirty oil, located on or at the insideportion of the viewing window obscures the viewing window, which rendersdifficult viewing of the instrument panel or other data displayed oninstrument panels or other display media located below the window.

Current approaches to cleaning the internal side of the viewing windowinvolve cleaning the window directly with, for example, a mechanism ofmanual manipulation. This approach, however, is complicated by thelimited space available at the window, along with possible fluidleakage, damage to internal instrumentation. The manufacturing costs arealso complicated, because of the difficulty in controlling the qualityof the instrument during manufacturing to accommodate cleaning of theviewing window. The longtime cleaning performance is therefore not goodbecause the wiper tip typically wears out sometime later, which it makesit difficult if not impossible to achieve gap compensation between theglass and the wiper tip.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a prior art instrument 10 witha viewing window 13 shown within area 12. It can be appreciated that dueto the compact nature of the viewing window and its direct mechanicaland electrical association with the instrument 10, cleaning the internalside of the viewing window 13 presents difficulties. One solution issimply to remove the face portion 15 which maintains the viewing window13. To do so, however, will likely result in damage to the instrument 13and its sensitive internal components. Adding cleaning fluid can alsodamage the instrument 13. A typical approach involves pushing andpulling the outside handle by hand so that the connected wiper insidethe window cleans the glass. This cleaning approach, however, iscomplicated because of the presence of the instruments seal system.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The following summary is provided to facilitate an understanding of someof the innovative features unique to the disclosed embodiments and isnot intended to be a full description. A full appreciation of thevarious aspects of the embodiments disclosed herein can be gained bytaking the entire specification, claims, drawings, and abstract as awhole.

It is, therefore, one aspect of the disclosed embodiments to provide foran improved magnet wiper for an instrument viewing window.

It is another aspect of the disclosed embodiments to provide for atechnique and apparatus for indirectly cleaning the internal side of aninstrument viewing window.

It is also an aspect of the disclosed embodiments to provide for amagnet wiper for an instrument viewing window, wherein the magnet wiperis composed of a group of magnets.

It is yet another aspect of the disclosed embodiments to provide a groupof magnets for a magnet wiper, wherein the group of magnets includesinternal magnets and external/outside magnets with respect to aninstrument viewing window.

The aforementioned aspects and other objectives and advantages can nowbe achieved as described herein. A magnet wiper for an instrument windowis disclosed, which includes a group of magnets wherein two or moremagnets constitute inside magnets located adjacent to the internalsurface of an instrument window, and two or more other magnetsconstitute outside magnets located adjacent to the external surface ofthe instrument window. As the outside magnets are moved, the insidemagnets move accordingly to manipulate a wiping medium and indirectlyclean the internal surface of the instrument window.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying figures, in which like reference numerals refer toidentical or functionally-similar elements throughout the separate viewsand which are incorporated in and form a part of the specification,further illustrate the present invention and, together with the detaileddescription of the invention, serve to explain the principles of thepresent invention.

FIG. 1 illustrates a prior art perspective view of an instrument havinga viewing window;

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of an instrument and a viewing windowwith a magnet wiper, in accordance with a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of the magnet wiper shown in FIG. 2, inaccordance with a preferred embodiment; and

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of the magnet wiper shown in FIG. 2, inaccordance with a preferred embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The particular values and configurations discussed in these non-limitingexamples can be varied and are cited merely to illustrate at least oneembodiment and are not intended to limit the scope thereof.

The embodiments will now be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which illustrativeembodiments of the invention are shown. The embodiments disclosed hereincan be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed aslimited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodimentsare provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, andwill fully convey the scope of the embodiments to those skilled in theart. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. As used herein, theterm “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of theassociated listed items.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of an instrument 20 having a viewingwindow 29 with a magnet wiper 25, in accordance with a preferredembodiment. The magnet wiper 25 is composed of a group of magnetsincluding internal/inside magnets 22, 24 and external/outside magnets26, 28. The viewing window 29, the internal/inside magnets 22, 24, andthe external/outside magnets 26, 28 are located generally within aninstrument block 30. Although not a limiting feature of the disclosedembodiments, it can be appreciated that the instrument 30 can be, forexample, an instrument such as a gas meter or otherelectronic/mechanical device with a display providing instrumentreadings. In the case of instrument 20, the display is located beneathor below the internal side of the view window 29. The viewing window 29may be composed of, for example, glass or another transparent material.

FIG. 3 illustrates a top view of the magnet wiper 25 shown in FIG. 2, inaccordance with a preferred embodiment. In FIG. 3, only theexternal/outside magnets 26, 28 are shown. The magnet wiper 25 isindicated generally in FIG. 3 by dashed lines. An instrument component31 is also shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of the magnet wiper 25 shown in FIG. 2,in accordance with a preferred embodiment. In the side view shown inFIG. 4, the external magnet 28 is shown with respect to the internalmagnet 24.

The magnet wiper 25 thus includes a plurality of magnets 26, 28, and 22,24. The internal magnets 22, 24 are located adjacent to the internalsurface or inside portion of the viewing window 29. The external magnets26, 28 are located adjacent to the external surface or outside portionof the viewing window 29. As the outside or external magnets 26, 28 aremoved, the inside magnets 22, 24 move accordingly to manipulate a wipingmedium 31 and indirectly clean the internal surface of the instrumentwindow 29. The wiping medium 31 may be a material located on theinternal surface of the viewing window 29, which when movedappropriately via the magnets 26, 28, and 22, 24, cleans the internalsurface of the viewing window 29.

Based on the foregoing, it can be appreciated that a number ofembodiments, preferred and alternative, are disclosed herein. Forexample, in one embodiment, a magnet wiper 25 for an instrument window29 can be implemented. Such a magnet wiper system or apparatus 25 caninclude a plurality of magnets wherein at least two magnets among theplurality of magnets comprise inside magnets 22, 24 located adjacent toan internal surface of an instrument window 29 and wherein at least twoother magnets among the plurality of magnets comprise outside magnets26, 28 located adjacent to an external surface of the instrument window29, such that as the outside magnets 26, 28 are moved, the insidemagnets 22, 24 respectively move accordingly to manipulate a wipingmedium and indirectly clean the internal surface of the instrumentwindow 29. Conversely, as the inside magnets 22, 24 are moved, therespective outside magnets 26, 28 move accordingly due to the magneticforce thereof between the outside and inside magnets (assumingappropriate positive and negative magnetic force implementations).

In some embodiments, the wiping medium can be located adjacent to theinternal surface. In another embodiment, the wiping medium can belocated between the internal surface and the inside magnets. In stillanother embodiment, the wiping medium removes moisture from the internalsurface of the instrument window. In another embodiment, the wipingmedium removes moisture from the internal surface of the instrumentwindow 29 in response to manipulation of the wiping medium by theplurality of magnets. In yet another embodiment, the wiping medium canbe located adjacent to the internal surface and between the internalsurface and the inside magnets 22, 24.

In another embodiment, a magnet wiper 25 for an instrument window 29 canbe implemented, which includes a plurality of magnets comprising insidemagnets 22, 24 located adjacent to an internal surface of an instrumentwindow 29 and outside magnets 26, 28 located adjacent to an externalsurface of the instrument window 29, such that as the outside magnets26, 28 are moved, the inside magnets 22, 24 move accordingly withrespect to the outside magnets 26, 28 via a magnetic force thereof tomanipulate a wiping medium and indirectly clean the internal surface ofthe instrument window 29. Conversely, as the inside magnets 22, 24 aremoved, the respective outside magnets 26, 28 move accordingly due to themagnetic force thereof between the outside and inside magnets (assumingappropriate positive and negative magnetic force implementations).

In yet another embodiment, a method of configuring a magnet wiper 25 foran instrument window 29 can be implemented. Such a method can includesteps or operations for providing a plurality of magnets wherein atleast two magnets among the plurality of magnets comprise inside magnets22, 24 and at least two other magnets among the plurality of magnetscomprise outside magnets 26, 28; locating the inside magnets 22, 24adjacent to an internal surface of the instrument window 29; andpositioning the outside magnets 26, 28 adjacent to an external surfaceof the instrument window 29. Thus, according to such a method, as theoutside magnets 26, 28 are moved, the inside magnets 22, 24 moveaccordingly to manipulate a wiping medium and indirectly clean theinternal surface of the instrument window. Conversely, as the insidemagnets 22, 24 are moved, the respective outside magnets 26, 28 moveaccordingly due to the magnetic force thereof between the outside andinside magnets assuming appropriate positive and negative magnetic forceimplementations).

The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided forpurposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or featuresof a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particularembodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be usedin a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described.The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to beregarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modificationsare intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.

1. A magnet wiper for an instrument window, comprising: a plurality ofmagnets wherein at least two magnets among said plurality of magnetscomprise inside magnets located adjacent to an internal surface of aninstrument window and wherein at least two other magnets among saidplurality of magnets comprise outside magnets are located adjacent to anexternal surface of said instrument window, such that as said outsidemagnets are moved said inside magnets move accordingly to manipulate awiping medium and indirectly clean said internal surface of saidinstrument window.
 2. The magnet wiper of claim 1 wherein said wipingmedium is located adjacent to said internal surface.
 3. The magnet wiperof claim 1 wherein said wiping medium is located between said internalsurface and said inside magnets.
 4. The magnet wiper of claim 1 whereinsaid wiping medium removes moisture from said internal surface of saidinstrument window.
 5. The magnet wiper of claim 1 wherein said wipingmedium removes moisture from said internal surface of said instrumentwindow in response to manipulation of said wiping medium by saidplurality of magnets.
 6. The magnet wiper of claim 1 wherein said wipingmedium is located adjacent to said internal surface and between saidinternal surface and said inside magnets.
 7. The magnet wiper of claim 6wherein said wiping medium removes moisture from said internal surfaceof said instrument window in response to manipulation of said wipingmedium by said plurality of magnets.
 8. A magnet wiper for an instrumentwindow, comprising: a plurality of magnets comprising inside magnetslocated adjacent to an internal surface of an instrument window, outsidemagnets located adjacent to an external surface of said instrumentwindow, such that as said outside magnets are moved, said inside magnetsmove accordingly with respect to said outside magnets via a magneticforce thereof to manipulate a wiping medium and indirectly clean saidinternal surface of said instrument window.
 9. The magnet wiper of claim8 wherein at least two magnets among said plurality of magnets comprisesaid inside magnets.
 10. The magnet wiper of claim 8 wherein at leasttwo other magnets among said plurality of magnets comprise said outsidemagnets.
 11. The magnet wiper of claim 8 wherein said wiping medium islocated adjacent to said internal surface.
 12. The magnet wiper of claim8 wherein said wiping medium is located between said internal surfaceand said inside magnets.
 13. The magnet wiper of claim 8 wherein saidwiping medium removes moisture from said internal surface of saidinstrument window.
 14. The magnet wiper of claim 8 wherein said wipingmedium removes moisture from said internal surface of said instrumentwindow in response to manipulation of said wiping medium by saidplurality of magnets.
 15. The magnet wiper of claim 8 wherein saidwiping medium is located adjacent to said internal surface and betweensaid internal surface and said inside magnets.
 16. The magnet wiper ofclaim 15 wherein said wiping medium removes moisture from said internalsurface of said instrument window in response to manipulation of saidwiping medium by said plurality of magnets,
 17. A method of configuringa magnet wiper for an instrument window, comprising: providing aplurality of magnets wherein at least two magnets among said pluralityof magnets comprise inside magnets and at least two other magnets amongsaid plurality of magnets comprise outside magnets; locating said insidemagnets adjacent to an internal surface of an instrument window;positioning said outside magnets adjacent to an external surface of saidinstrument window; and wherein as said outside magnets are moved, saidinside magnets move accordingly to manipulate a wiping medium andindirectly clean said internal surface of said instrument window. 18.The method of claim 17 wherein said wiping medium removes moisture fromsaid internal surface of said instrument window in response tomanipulation of said wiping medium by said plurality of magnets.
 19. Themethod of claim 17 wherein said wiping medium is located adjacent tosaid internal surface and between said internal surface and said insidemagnets.
 20. The method of claim 19 wherein said wiping medium removesmoisture from said internal surface of said instrument window inresponse to manipulation of said wiping medium by said plurality ofmagnets.